UNDP Current Job Vacancy For Inclusive Digital Financial Services Consultant 2019
| Inclusive Digital Financial Services Consultant | |
| Advertised on behalf of : | |
| Location : | Kampala, UGANDA |
| Application Deadline : | 12-Nov-19 (Midnight New York, USA) |
| Time left : | 13d 19h 5m |
| Type of Contract : | Individual Contract |
| Post Level : | International Consultant |
| Languages Required : | English |
| Duration of Initial Contract : | 24 months |
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Background
UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 47 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.UNCDF strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’ is based on over a decade of experience in digital finance in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. UNCDF recognizes that reaching the full potential of digital financial inclusion in support of the Sustainable Development Goals aligns with the vision of promoting digital economies that leave no one behind. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era Since 2013, UNCDF has been implementing a market development approach on digital finance in Uganda. With the support of the Sweden Development Agency (SIDA), UNCDF will execute the “Leaving no one behind in the digital era” strategy in country until 2024 under the “Connect” Rural Uganda Programme. The Programme has the aim to develop an inclusive digital economy in Uganda with a specific focus at empowering rural communities, smallholders’ farmers, agri-business and refugees – to lead productive and healthy lives, by expanding access and usage of digital services. UNCDF is looking for an Inclusive Digital Financial Services Consultant to provide technical assistance to its partners in the area of digital financial services with a focus on key target segments: Small holder farmers, refugees, women and youth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the the Uganda Technical Specialist the Inclusive Digital Financial Services Consultant will be responsible for the following activities and deliverables:1. Conducting market research to inform financial inclusion interventions for the Uganda programme, including understanding the supply and demand side for digital innovations for key segments (Small holder farmers, refugees, women and youth). Month 1 to Month 6: Desk research.Filed visits and data collection.Drafting of problem trees for the inclusive digital finance area – showing key market failures.
Analysis of digital existing digital innovations /solutions in inclusive finance.Drafting a paper on inclusive digital finance in Uganda.Write case study on inclusive digital financial inclusion vulnerable segments.2. Designing the curricula and technical materials for UNCDF to launch and manage three DFS working groups notably cash based transfers, refugee connectivity and financial inclusion. Month 3 to 24.Writing WG concept curricula and technical materials.Providing technical inputs to UNCDF during quarterly presentations.3. Launch innovation Challenge for inclusive digital finance. Month 5 to 7.Draft concept, curricula and challenge materials.Refine the business cases of those partners approved by UNCDF after the challenge.Final report, analysis and inputs to the customer impact analysis and business case analysis for the innovation challenge.4. Providing technical assistance related to leveraging digital innovation and technology to improve access to and usage of financial services among key target population segments (Small holder farmers, refugees, women and youth) to 4 partner institutions. Month 2 to 23:Provide technical inputs to UNCDF requests for applications.Perform project appraisal of institutions selected by UNCDF.Train partners in monitoring and reporting as per UNCDF standard.
Conduct a technical assessment of the partners’ business case.Validate partner’s final working solution during prototyping phase.Provide technical inputs to partners’ materials during the product pilot.The table below outlines the list of key deliverables, due date and level of effort foreseen: Activities and deliverables Timeline DaysConducting market research to inform financial inclusion interventions for the Uganda programme, including understanding the supply and demand side for digital innovations for key segments (Small holder farmers, refugees, women and youth). Month 1 to Month 6 Desk research. 5 Field visits and data collection. 5 Drafting of problem trees for the inclusive digital finance area – showing key market failures. 4 Analysis of digital existing digital innovations /solutions in inclusive finance. 5Drafting a paper on inclusive digital finance in Uganda. 5 Writing case study on inclusive digital financial inclusion vulnerable segments. 5 Designing the curricula and technical materials for UNCDF to launch and manage three DFS working groups notably cash based transfers, refugee connectivity and financial inclusion.Month 3 to 24 Writing WG concept curricula and technical materials. 15 Providing technical inputs to UNCDF during quarterly presentations. 12 Launch innovation Challenge for inclusive digital finance.Month 5 to 7 Draft concept, curricula and challenge materials. 5 Refine the business cases of those partners approved by UNCDF after the challenge. 5 Final report, analysis and inputs to the customer impact analysis and business case analysis for the innovation challenge. 2Providing technical assistance related to leveraging digital innovation and technology to improve access to and usage of financial services among key target population segments (Small holder farmers, refugees, women and youth) to 4 partner institutions.
Month 2 to 23 Provide technical inputs to UNCDF requests for applications. 20 Perform project appraisal of institutions selected by UNCDF. 20 Train partners in monitoring and reporting as per UNCDF standard. 20 Conduct a technical assessment of the partners’ business case. 20 Validate partner’s final working solution during prototyping phase. 20 Provide technical inputs to partners’ materials during the product pilot. 20 Monitor partner’s performance during pilot quick off, mid-term review and completion. 12 Total 200
Competencies
Thorough knowledge of administrative, financial and management principles and practices.Excellent organizational and analytical skills complemented by sound interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.Ability to act independently and exercise sound judgment Proficient in MS Office Software applications, data analysis and technical presentations. Ability to establish strong working relationships with various stakeholders’ institutions and administrators; media, civil society and private sector leaders; international donors; and other stakeholders.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:Degree in economics, international development, or related field Experience:5 years of experience in in managing large-scale, high-impact programme delivery schemes for improving access to financial services for the most marginalized populations (refugees, women, youth) particularly in in low/middle income countries is mandatory.At least two years of experience in implementing digital solutions in inclusive digital finance, especially for the most marginalized populations (refugees, women, youth) particularly in in low/middle income countries is mandatory.Experience working in South East Africa is preferred by not mandatory.Experience working with the UN system is preferred but not mandatory.
Language requirements:Proficiency in English is mandatory.Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:Timeline: 24 months.Total Number of Working Days for Assignment: up to 200 working days.Standard travel costs and living expenses:Please quote 3 economy class return tickets from your home base to Kampala in your financial proposal.Progress Controls & Payments:Payment will be made against satisfactorily completion of each deliverable. All payments shall be disbursed only upon written confirmation of acceptance of the outputs which and authorization for payment by the Uganda Technical Specialist.Disbursement of the final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.The payment schedule will be as follows:Schedule of payments Advance Contract signature 10%Month 1 Project plan validated 5%Month 3 Deliverables Progress report 110%Month 6 Deliverables Progress report 210%Month 9Deliverables Progress report 310%Month 12 Mid-term report 10%Month 15Deliverables Progress report 410%Month 18 Deliverables Progress report 510%Month 21 Deliverables Progress report 610%Month 24 Final report 15%Total 100%
Application process:Interested individuals must submit the documents mentioned below as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications (Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).All applications must contain the following information:Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies and motivation rationalizing how the applicant meets the qualifications and can deliver the requirements of the Terms of Reference (TOR);Earliest availability and proposed schedule for consultancy;Signed financial proposal for the assignment outlining: all-inclusive fee (including professional fees and other professional expenses, such as insurance, taxes, etc.). Template for this is available at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916).Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
Evaluation: Step I: Screening & Longlisting : Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting.Step II: Shortlisting (20 points)UNCDF will produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates as per experience requirements in the Terms of Reference. As applicable, only the first top 3 ranked applicants shall be considered for an interview.Step IV: Interview (80 points): An interview shall be conducted for the top 3 candidates based on their test result.Step V: Financial Evaluation: Only candidates with scores above 70% of the technical evaluation (70 Points or above) will be considered. The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%. Award Criteria:The contact shall be awarded to the applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as:Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and Having received the highest combined weight (technical scores) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply. Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.